Battle at the Parsonage
The Battle of Monmouth
Desperate fighting took place here as retreating Continental infantry held off a battalion of British grenadiers.
“General Wayne, occupying a barn and orchard in front, gave them a very warm reception.”
Dr. James McHenry, Secretary to George Washington.
In the last action of the Battle, Brigadier-General Anthony Wayne led 400 Continentals across the bridge toward the withdrawing British Army. Seven hundred yards to your right, Wayne attacked the 1st Battalion of British Grenadiers. The Grenadiers rallied and began pushing back Wayne. As the Continentals neared the parsonage farm, Lord Stirling sent orders to Wayne to take cover here in the buildings and yards.
Protected by walls and fences, the Continentals of Malcolm’s, Spencer’s, and the 3rd Pennsylvania regiments held off the Grenadiers while Continental gunners pounded them from the north and south. Unable to use their bayonets, the Grenadiers retreated yet again. The Battle of Monmouth was over.
“I was at Monmouth Battle in a sharp encounter against the British grenadiers, … I commanded the platoon on the left of our party and being close pressed by the right of the enemy in front lost three of my men, …. Lord Stirling’s artillery played on the enemy so well that they ran back, and we immediately rallied and returned to our own ground where we remained under arms until next morning.”
1st Lieutenant Alexander Dow, Malcolm’s Additional Continental Regiment.
Marker can be reached from Freehold Road (County Route 522), on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
